Korean-American runs for Senate

ATLANTA - The Republican primary for the next year's open Senate seat got a little more crowded Friday with the announcement that the first Korean-American intends to run.

Eugene Chin Yu, an Augusta businessman, made his announcement at the National Federation of Republican Women during their conference in Atlanta.

He is making his first foray into politics although he has been active in civic organizations including serving as the national president of the Federation of Korean Associations which seeks to unite various Korean organizations.

He came to Georgia as a child, grew up to serve in the U.S. Army and returned to Augusta to serve as a fireman, deputy sheriff and then the owner of several businesses, including one that supplies armaments and other equipment to American allies. He has also assisted Georgia officials in recruiting Korean businesses to the state.

"Through leveraging my global business experience, I will work tirelessly to make the American dream a reality by bringing jobs back to Georgia," he said in a statement released late Friday by his campaign.

He did not immediately return phone messages seeking a comment.

He would not be the first Korean-American elected in Georgia. For instance, Rep. B.J. Pak, R-Lilburn, is a former prosecutor in his second term in the statehouse.

Already in the race are three congressmen, a former secretary of state and a Marta engineer. The former CEO of multiple Fortune 500 companies also has an exploratory committee and is expected to formally enter the race.

Yu will start behind in fundraising. Two of the congressmen, Jack Kingston of Savannah and Phil Gingrey of Marietta have more than $2.5 million already in their campaign accounts. And he isn't the only candidate with Augusta ties; Gingrey was born there.